Mike Trout's return to center field for the Los Angeles Angels has fans on edge about his health, but if he stays off the injured list, 2026 could be a landmark year for his career stats. Let's dive into how high Trout might climb on the all-time leaderboards this season.
Hits
Starting with hits, Trout's numbers aren't as sky-high as some might expect due to past injuries and a shift towards power hitting. Entering the season with 1,754 hits, he’s tied with Justin Upton at 444th all-time.
With a projection of 110 hits this year, Trout could reach 1,864 hits, moving him up to 368th place, nestled between Earle Combs and Eddie Yost. While the milestone of 2,000 hits is still on the horizon, a strong 2026 will set the stage for that achievement.
Home Runs
Trout's power is where things get exciting. After launching his 400th homer last season, he's sitting at 404, ranking 59th all-time.
With a projected 26 homers this season, Trout could end 2026 with 430, surpassing legends like Mike Piazza and Alfonso Soriano. This trajectory puts him in a prime position to join the elite 500-home run club before his contract ends, a feat only 28 players in MLB history have accomplished.
Wins Above Replacement (WAR)
When it comes to WAR, Trout is already a titan. With a career WAR of 87.2, he's 29th all-time.
Though passing many names this season might be tough, a projected 2.2 WAR would elevate him to 89.4, surpassing icons like Wade Boggs and Al Kaline. This sets the stage for Trout to potentially overtake Albert Pujols and Cal Ripken Jr. in 2027.
Trout's journey through 2026 promises to be a thrilling one, as he continues to etch his name among the all-time greats. If he stays healthy, the sky's the limit for this baseball superstar.